Fort Snelling State Park
Minnesota River–Gun Club Lake, 3 lakes
7.7 mi · ▲ 90 ft · 2 hr 37 min
Minnesota River–Gun Club Lake, 3 lakes is a 7.7-mile out-and-back in Fort Snelling State Park near Nicols, MN. The route passes Gun Club Lake and Minnesota River. It is mostly level, with 90 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Minnesota River–Gun Club Lake, 3 lakes
7.7 mi · ▲ 90 ft · 2 hr 37 min
Elevation 698–810 ft
Out & Back · Fort Snelling State Park
Trailhead: 44.86088, -93.21354
Weather Sep 25: sunrise 7:04 AM · sunset 7:06 PM
Bikes allowed on the whole route · Transit-accessible: American / Hwy 494 stop 737 m from the trailhead · Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading E.
- 1 miPass Gun Club Lake.
- 100 ftSharp right, heading W.
- 0.2 miPass Minnesota River.
- 100 ftTurn right onto Mendota Trail, heading N.
- 2.7 miReach Minnesota River, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 2.7 miTurn left, heading E.
- 0.2 miSharp left, heading W.
- 1 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 6:46 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 7:06 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 7:36 PM.
Good to know
- Bikes allowed on the whole route
- Transit-accessible: American / Hwy 494 stop 737 m from the trailhead
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Drinking water at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Gun Club Lake & Highline Trail 15.4 mi · ▲ 447 ft
- Gun Club Lake 4.5 mi · ▲ 229 ft
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Hikes near Nicols, Minnesota